AFTER a brief hiatus, on-the-rise dancehall deejay Ricky Carty is back with Top Dog, which was released last week.

“The reaction has been mixed so far. Some say appreciate the story line, others have different views, but overall, the reaction has been great, especially from the disc jockeys and the real dancehall fans,” Ricky Carty said.

Top Dog is available on all digital streaming platforms via Splice Media Entertainment LLC. A video was also released to help promote the project.

Top Dog marks a return for Ricky Carty, who rose to prominence in 2014 with the controversial Gyal Tek It.

“No mother really wants to see their son turn to controversial marketing strategies to promote their music, especially using nudity, but I felt that I needed to get into the industry and I did. Since then, the struggle and pain that Ricky has been through in both his musical and personal life hasn’t been normal. I had to overcome a lot of hurdles to become a better man, just going through life, learning, and development while enjoying it at the same time,” he said.

Raised in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, Ricardo Carty (given name) attended Ardenne High School, where he participated in several activities. At 12, he established a musical group with his cousins called Triple C, but disbanned as the deejay migrated to the US to live with his father in 2010.

He returned to Jamaica in 2013 and is known for songs including No Glove, No Love ft Teesha Rain, and Happy Place.

Ricky Carty is booked to appear at a gig in Portmore, St Catherine, as well as a stage show in Cross Road, Kingston, this weekend.